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Post by 3piggles on Jul 21, 2015 20:16:38 GMT
Aw! That's so cute
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Post by bazookagoof on Aug 12, 2015 2:04:49 GMT
Just another observation: Oscar loves to be petted, and makes a little warbling purr when his fur is stroked. After awhile he gets up and moves off, and I don't push the issue. I try the same thing with Deo, and up until recently he never made a sound. But tonight he made the exact same warbling purr, sat still for a minute or two and then moved off to other business. I guess he's warming up to the whole thing, it's just taking time.
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Post by jolovespiggies on Aug 12, 2015 18:40:48 GMT
It is lovely when you get a piggy who likes cuddles. None of my three are that keen although Merley has settled down a lot since his neuter a couple of weeks ago.
Hugs Jo xx
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Post by 3piggles on Aug 12, 2015 18:42:30 GMT
He definitely seems to be warming to the idea, and may very well have watched your interaction with Oscar. He saw Oscar enjoying the interaction, and not being imprisoned by it, so Deo gave it a try. Of my two young girls, Noodles is the gutsy girl, and Oodles is the shy one. Oodles watches Noodles and Morty interact with me, then gives it a try. She's really coming out of her shell
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Post by jolovespiggies on Aug 13, 2015 18:41:53 GMT
Oh bless him, he probably saw you making a fuss of the others and thought "This looks alright" LOL
Hugs JO xx
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Post by bazookagoof on Aug 19, 2015 2:44:52 GMT
Had a bit of an accident with Deo- my daughter was trying to trim his nails, when I volunteered to do one of his back claws, because it was close to me- I cut too close, and there was a bit of blood- to Deo's credit, he did not whine or cry. We cleaned him up and cleaned his cage, and will keep an eye on his rear leg to make sure there are no infections.
I really feel terrible, I was trying to do a favor and managed to bungle things. The problem with Deo is that some of his claws are black, so it's harder to see where you're not supposed to cut.
I'm going to contact the shelter where we got him from and see if they offer claw-trimming services. Oscar is not the easiest to deal with either, but all his claws are white and we've always been fairly successful in keeping him trimmed.
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Post by Bean on Aug 19, 2015 8:29:35 GMT
Oh dear, poor Deo! I think we've all been there at some point with dark nailed pigs, so don't beat yourself up about it. If you're good at doing Oscar's nails, I think you'll be fine, especially if Deo is more compliant. You just get better at building in some room for error and cutting them a bit longer than you think they need to be (and more frequently if needed) to be on the safe side.
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Post by 3piggles on Aug 19, 2015 13:38:22 GMT
You're not the first to cause a bleeder, and you won't be the last. We all feel terrible when that happens, but it often happens despite our best efforts to the contrary. Vets and rescues who offer nail clipping services cause bleeders, too.
There is a styptic powder available in pet stores, probably in the dog/cat aisles, but possibly in the small furries aisles. Just pour a bit of the powder into a saucer, and dip the bleeding toenail into it. Not only will that stop the bleeding, but it will seal the wound against any infection. It must sting the pigs as much as it stings us, but that's better than getting an infection. I've caused a few bleeders, and never had a problem with infection, even without using the styptic powder.
Black nails are incredibly hard to clip, first because they're hard for us to see to get the clippers on them, and secondly because it takes us so long to set up the clipping of a black nail, the pigs get bored and antsy. My Morty has the black nails, is a drama king, and super hard to clip. I put the pigs in about 1/2 inch of warm water in the kitchen sink, under the strong, overhead light, and clip their nails while they stand in the water. They can't get good purchase with their feet, so they are less rambunctious in their attempts to get free. The strong, direct light helps illuminate the black nails, so they are easier to clip. Try some different things. You'll find one that tends to work for you.
Also, clip just the pointy part at the very end of the nail. Do it a couple of times a month, and that should not only keep the nail clipped, but help the quick inside the nail recede, so you don't cut it when you clip their nails.
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Post by bazookagoof on Aug 20, 2015 2:49:34 GMT
Thanks for the reassurances; I've been keeping an eye on him and he seems to be doing alright. There's an animal hospital less than five minutes' drive from my home, so if things get worse I'll know where to take him.
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Post by 3piggles on Aug 20, 2015 18:29:31 GMT
Oodles has found her place in the herd as the voice pig. She's the one who wheeks for treats. She established her vocal ability screaming at Noodles to leave her alone. Now that she has a place in the herd, Noodles isn't bothering her much. She's also taken over one of the grid houses, and sits/sleeps on top of it quite a bit. That's her place. Noodles does periodically jump up and drive her off it, but it's mostly Oodles place. Noodles usually sits on top of the other grid house, if she sits on one at all. I'm glad I have the hanging grids blocking them from jumping off the grid houses, as Oodles rolled over in her sleep, and almost fell off. Her hair was sticking through the grids
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Post by jolovespiggies on Aug 20, 2015 19:15:17 GMT
Our piggies have dark claws too hun and as both of us are not blind as bats, they nurse does it at the vets and it isn't too expensive.
Hugs JO xx
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Post by 3piggles on Aug 21, 2015 20:05:06 GMT
It can get pricey in the States, Jo. I've noticed your vets charge a lot less than ours. Done on a monthly basis, the cost would really add up.
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Post by jolovespiggies on Aug 22, 2015 19:01:19 GMT
Oh Piggles love, I really am sorry to hear this, goodness knows they are expensive enough here.
Hugs Jo xx
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Post by bazookagoof on Aug 26, 2015 2:53:09 GMT
Actually, I'm running into a curious situation- I know teeth chattering is a sign of agression in a cavy, but Deo has started to do it when I'm preparing to fill his food bowl. He stops right away, but I'm wondering what his deal is.
The way feeding time usually goes is, Deo tends to hide out in his pigloo and Oscar is always out when I come in to feed them. Oscar gets his first because he's standing there anyway, and as I get Deo's bowl ready he saunters out and starts chattering away.
This is not always happening, just on occasion.
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Post by 3piggles on Aug 26, 2015 19:40:36 GMT
He could be expressing his displeasure at getting fed second. Try filling both bowls, and putting them in the cage at the same time. Also, guinea pigs use a combination of sounds and body language to make a point, so pay close attention to what he's doing with his body when he makes the chuttering sound, see where he's looking, etc. He could be talking to Oscar or you.
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Post by jolovespiggies on Aug 26, 2015 20:46:14 GMT
Aren't they just the best LOL?
Hugs JO xx
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Post by bazookagoof on Aug 27, 2015 1:43:45 GMT
He could be expressing his displeasure at getting fed second. Try filling both bowls, and putting them in the cage at the same time. Also, guinea pigs use a combination of sounds and body language to make a point, so pay close attention to what he's doing with his body when he makes the chuttering sound, see where he's looking, etc. He could be talking to Oscar or you. He's always facing me, so he could be jealous. I try to make sure his portions are equal- it's just that he doesn't come out of his pigloo until Oscar's already digging in. One thing though- he doesn't hold a grudge. When he does get his food (especially a treat) he purrs briefly and drags his prize back into his pigloo! Which brings to mind- Deo is into private dining; he seldom eats out in the open. I love joking about this, because it's so funny to see- I put a tiny tomato in his bowl, he comes out- grabs it- walks backward into his hideout and chows down where no one can see him.
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Post by Bean on Aug 27, 2015 7:34:44 GMT
Haha! I love watching a guinea pig run along frantically holding its head up to try to keep hold of a piece of cucumber or a cherry tomato to itself! Sometimes Josh will do a few laps before he settles down to eat it, even when nobody is chasing him!
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Post by 3piggles on Aug 27, 2015 15:20:46 GMT
I've had several pigs who were into private dining. They would even stick their open mouths out of the pigloo door, and wait for food to be put in it. Perhaps he's trying to tell you he wants his food in his house. Try giving him the first serving, and put it in his house. It will be interesting to see if and how his mood changes.
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Post by jolovespiggies on Aug 27, 2015 18:59:55 GMT
What happens when I give my piggies their morning feed is really funny. Lacy Jane is greedy, there is no other way of putting it. I will give them both a piece of cucumber, Lacy will drop hers and head for the salad I put in and tries to eat as much as poss before Darcy gets a chance and then goes back to her piece of cucumber. Don't worry though, I make sure Darcy gets his share LOL!!
Hugs JO xx
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